Very lifelike and meticulously detailed statue of the hussar mounted on his horse, his left hand on the reins, the horse halting, in his right hand the flag of the French regiment with the Napoleonic eagle on top, the flowing flag on the left side with the inscription “L'Empereur des Francais au 55e Regiment d'Infantrie de Ligne”. The details of the uniform beautifully executed, the shako with the death's head, on the left side the saber and the sabretache with the monogram “WR”, draped over the shoulder the dolman and the carbine sling. The base plate with the artist's signature “V. Seifert fec.”, on the side the foundry mark “Aktien:Gesellschaft Gladenbeck Berlin.”. Bronze casting with browned patina. Total height 62.3 cm. Weight 10.35 kg. The browning rubbed in two to three places, two very minor damages: the sword knot tassel missing as well as the plume holder on the shako. Very well preserved! Condition 2.

The 1st Life Hussar Regiment No. 1 stationed at Danzig/Langfuhr was among the most renowned regiments of the German Army. In 1741, Frederick II established the fifth hussar regiment which received the designation “Regiment schwartze Husaren”. It was renamed several times and received the name “von Prittwitz” in 1804. During the Fourth Coalition War against Napoleon 1806/07, the regiment was initially stationed in Poland and was then advanced to the Vistula up to Thorn. Thus the regiment escaped the catastrophe of Jena/Auerstedt on October 14, 1806. On February 7/8, 1807, Russian forces in the Battle of Preußisch Eylau were able to stop the advance of French troops and entrenched themselves in Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński). Meanwhile, the fortress of Danzig was besieged and captured by the French. On June 10, the French attacked the Prussian and Russian troops at Heilsberg. Despite several attacks, the French could not achieve victory. During the engagements, the Hussar Regiment “von Prittwitz” particularly distinguished itself. The 55e régiment d'infanterie was decimated by the hussars and the regimental color captured. This was one of the few victories of the Coalition partners against Napoleon at that time and was of high morale significance for the troops, thus entering into commemorative culture. On June 14, 1807, however, the Battle of Friedland took place, where the Coalition partners were defeated and forced to make peace. After the Peace of Tilsit on July 7, 1807, the Prittwitz Hussars were now the only hussar regiment of the Prussian Army that still reached full strength.

The statue was probably created for the 100th anniversary of the event in 1907 and presented to the 1st Life Hussar Regiment No. 1 in Danzig. Victor Heinrich Seifert (*1870 in Döblin, †1953 in Berlin) was a renowned sculptor of his time, active since at least 1902. The Gladenbeck bronze foundry in Friedrichshagen was among the most prestigious foundries of that period. It produced numerous significant statues and monuments as well as large and small sculptures, including the Victoria of the Berlin Victory Column.

A particularly beautiful and historically interesting work! We are delighted to offer you this object!

452313

€ 10.000,00

Prussian Bronze Equestrian Statue of a Hussar from the Hussar Regiment “von Prittwitz” (1st Life Hussar Regiment No. 1) with the Flag of the French 55th Infantry Regiment Captured at the Battle of Heilsberg in 1807

This magnificent bronze statue of a hussar from the 1st Life Hussar Regiment No. 1, created by sculptor Victor Heinrich Seifert and cast by the renowned Aktien-Gesellschaft Gladenbeck in Berlin, depicts a significant moment in Prussian military history: the capture of a French regimental standard at the Battle of Heilsberg on June 10, 1807.

The 1st Life Hussar Regiment “von Prittwitz” was among the most distinguished cavalry units of the Prussian army. Its origins date back to 1741, when Frederick II established the fifth hussar regiment, initially designated as the “Regiment schwartze Husaren” (Black Hussars Regiment). The characteristic black uniform with the death's head on the shako became the hallmark of this elite unit. In 1804, the regiment received the name “von Prittwitz” after its commander.

The historical context of this representation lies in the Fourth Coalition War against Napoleon (1806-1807). After the devastating defeat at Jena and Auerstedt on October 14, 1806, which marked the collapse of the Prussian state, the regiment escaped this catastrophe as it was stationed in Poland. Together with Russian allies, the remaining Prussian forces attempted to halt the French advance.

The Battle of Heilsberg (today Lidzbark Warmiński in Poland) on June 10, 1807, represented one of the few tactical successes of the Coalition forces in this campaign. While the French repeatedly attempted to break through the well-entrenched Prussian and Russian positions, the Prittwitz Hussars succeeded in a bold charge in overrunning the 55th Regiment of Line Infantry and capturing its eagle standard. The capture of a regimental standard was of enormous symbolic significance – it represented the honor and fighting spirit of a unit. The loss of such a standard was considered the deepest disgrace.

The standard depicted on the statue bears the characteristic inscription “L'Empereur des Francais au 55e Regiment d'Infantrie de Ligne” and is crowned by the Napoleonic eagle. These standards were personal gifts from Napoleon to his regiments and of inestimable morale value. The capture of this trophy by the Prittwitz Hussars became a heroic moment that secured a permanent place in Prussian commemorative culture, especially since only four days later, on June 14, 1807, the devastating defeat at Friedland followed, forcing the Peace of Tilsit on July 7, 1807.

The statue itself is an excellent example of early 20th-century military commemorative art. Victor Heinrich Seifert (1870-1953) was a respected Berlin sculptor who created numerous military monuments and sculptures. The precise reproduction of uniform details – the dolman, the fur cap with death's head, the sabretache with the monogram “WR” (Wilhelm Rex), the carbine strap – demonstrates Seifert's thorough knowledge of military equipment.

The Aktien-Gesellschaft Gladenbeck in Berlin-Friedrichshagen was among the leading art foundries of the German Empire. Founded in 1851, it produced significant works such as the Victoria of the Berlin Victory Column and countless monuments throughout the Reich. The quality of the bronze casting and the burnished surface of this work testify to the foundry's technical mastery.

The creation of this statue around 1907 probably coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Heilsberg. In the Wilhelmine era, the memory of the Wars of Liberation was intensively cultivated. The 1st Life Hussar Regiment, stationed in Danzig-Langfuhr, was among the most prestigious units of the Empire and maintained its traditions with great pride.

Such bronze statues served not only as works of art but as three-dimensional history books. They conveyed to officers and soldiers the glorious past of their unit and were intended to inspire courage and devotion to duty. The dramatic depiction of the hussar with the captured standard embodies ideals such as bravery, fighting spirit, and military virtue that were central to Prussian-German military culture.

As a historical document, this statue offers insights into uniforming, commemorative culture, and the artistic processing of military history in the German Empire. It stands exemplary for the manner in which military successes were monumentalized and preserved for subsequent generations.